Who Do You Believe: Alec Baldwin or the New York Post?

That the New York Post and Alec Baldwin got into another spat is not news, really. But the latest battle between the paper and Baldwin is a little uglier, and a little unsettling, and a little more racist than their normal tiffs.

But the latest row between the actor and the rag is different because the paper is accusing Baldwin of calling a Post photographer a "coon," a "crackhead," and a "drug-dealer." Around 11 a.m. on Sunday morning, the Post reports their reporter and photographer approached Baldwin while he was walking his dogs, asking about the lawsuit against his wife. Baldwin allegedly grabbed the reporter and told her he wanted to "choke her to death." That's when he allegedly called the Post's photographer, a former NYPD officer, a "coon," and a "drug dealer." The photographer said Baldwin and he were involved in a "tete-a-tete" [sic] that also saw Baldwin push the photographer, say bad things about his mother, and offer instruction to "suck" Baldwin's appendage.

Baldwin's take on the issue is a much different story. Speaking to Gothamist, Baldwin says the Post employees followed him across the street while he was walking his dogs. The photographer was, "right up in my face as I crossed University Place," Baldwin said. "I get to the other side of the street, and he bumped into me." Baldwin accused the Post employees of trying to incite some kind of altercation. He also accused the photographer of making up the racial accusations to give the story an even more controversial bent. When Baldwin got home, he called the cops to file a harassment complaint. This is what he told Gothamist in reference to the racial accusations:

"When they were there, no one made any mention of anything. While police were here, you'd figure that'd be an opportune time for this guy to really attempt to tar me in some way. But there was no mention of anything I said to him, no one said anything about me saying the N-word or taunting him or anything. So it was after the fact. He wants to say I used some racial slur against him."

Emphasis theirs.

Additionally, Baldwin has been vocal on Twitter about the accusations:

I wonder if the Post will report that I called the police and filed a formal complaint against their "photographer?"

So, really, it comes down to who you believe. Is Baldwin just another star hounded by paparazzi? Or were the Post reporter and photographer the victims of Baldwin's goonish behavior? In another tweet, since deleted, the Post alleges Baldwin called their photographer "Ralston," which is not his name. They also allege that Baldwin called another black Post photographer "Rodney," during an altercation last year. So, they're laying it on thick that Baldwin is a racist, and that it's not new behavior. But this also the Post we're talking about, peddlers of smut and voice of the crazies; the paper standing on the street corner shouting about the apocalypse when all you want is a coffee in the morning. No one would ever dispute an argument that Alec Baldwin is a jerk. But there might be some hesitation to believe that he's a racist jerk.

Both sides gave reports to police, but no charges have been filed, and no one expect them to be. So, as a legal matter, this is the end of it, unless one side or the other decides to file a civil suit. But why would they? A Baldwin vs. New York Post lawsuit would get, like, no press coverage, right?

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